ATHENS, Ohio (AP) -- Walter Offutt scored 19 points and Ohio used
a 20-2 run in the first half to defeat Northern Illinois 81-63
in a Mid-American Conference game Wednesday night.



Reggie Keely chipped in 12 points for the Bobcats (12-5, 3-0),
who are 11-1 at home.



Abdel Nader scored 17 points for Northern Illinois (3-12, 1-2),
Keith Gray had 14 and J.J. Cravatta and Darrell Bowie had 10
each.



Northern Illinois led 10-9 on Daveon Balls' jumper with 13:57
left, but Ohio's run gave it a 29-12 advantage, capped by Ivo
Baltic's dunk with 5:35 remaining. Stevie Taylor scored all
eight of his points during the run.



The Bobcats led 45-18 at the break, shooting 68 percent from the
field (17 of 25) and 63.6 percent from beyond the arc (7 of 11).
Ohio had assists on 16 of its baskets compared to two for
Northern Illinois.